Two weeks ago, London-born singer Sam Smith performed at the final of the X Factor , but today the Mirror claims that Smith would never have auditioned to perform on the show because it is damaging for artists.
Just last week, it was revealed that Smith’s album, In the Lonely Hour , was the only album to sell over one million copies on both sides of the atlantic. Sam says he wanted to go his own way in the music industry to avoid singing covers, which he reckons can be “damaging” for aspiring writers.
Sam said, “It was a very conscious decision for me not to audition. It is for people, and it isn’t for people. I feel that ‘X Factor’ is perfect for singers who sing, and that’s all they want to do. They don’t care what they sing, they just love singing.”
He continued, “You could sing on a cruise ship or release a cover album, that’s what it’s for. Because when you think about it, every week, that’s what you do. You’re singing other people’s songs. People are judging you on other people’s music.”
Zee News says Smith added that the minute he started writing music, he knew that none of that stuff was going to be for him, and he wanted people judging him on his voice and his songs — that’s what was important to him.
The Mirror article claims that Sam Smith had another criticism of the show, saying that he did not have the opportunity to meet the judges, something he was unhappy about.
Sam said, “I didn’t like that I didn’t get to meet Simon (Cowell) and Cheryl (Cole). I would have thought they would come and say hello, or I’d have got to go and say hello. But I never got to see them.”
According to Take 40 , Sam Smith did temper his criticism of X Factor saying, “I feel that ‘X Factor’ is perfect for singers who sing, and that’s all they want to do. They don’t care what they sing, they just love singing. You could sing on a cruise ship or release a cover album, that’s what it’s for.”
Sam continued, “I always say to people: ‘If you’re a singer, go for it.’ It’s an amazing platform. But if you’re not, and you’re a songwriter, I think it’s actually quite damaging for you to go on there.”
Sam explained, “You’re singing other people’s music, so then when you release your own stuff, people might not like it.”
Sam Smith is currently on a New Year holiday in Australia, where he climbed the Sydney Harbour Bridge , an experience the 22-year-old said he would never forget. Sam recently revealed the visit is due to his wanting to avoid fighting with his family this New Year’s Eve.
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